Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

Unshapely Things

Book 1 in the series:Connor Grey

Save:
Find on Amazon

'Unshapely Things' in the 'Connor Grey' series by Mark Del Franco follows the story of Connor Grey, a former hero druid who has lost his powers and now lives in a world where the modern collides with fairies and elves. The plot centers around Grey being asked to help investigate a series of murders involving fairy prostitutes in his neighborhood. is described as a mix of urban fantasy and police procedural, with a detailed world-building that intertwines magic, fey lore, and human society. The writing style is noted for its detailed exposition in the beginning, leading to a slow start but eventually picking up with unexpected twists and engaging plot development.

Characters:

The characters are multi-dimensional, with Connor serving as a flawed protagonist while the secondary cast adds depth and dimension to the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is straightforward and conversational, with moments of humor, though some find it heavy on exposition and lacking literary flair.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows Connor Grey, a former druid reduced to consulting for the police, as he investigates murders of fairy prostitutes while grappling with his loss of power and position in the fey community.

Setting:

The setting combines modern-day Boston with rich elements of Celtic mythology, creating a unique fusion of urban and magical worlds.

Pacing:

Pacing varies, with a slow start due to extensive world-building that accelerates into fast-paced action by the end.
The alley was slick with rain and a rainbow-hued slop I didn’t want to think about. As I ducked under the yellow crime scene tape, something brown oozed away from my feet, and I almost tripped trying ...

Notes:

Connor Grey, the protagonist, was once a powerful druid but became magically crippled after an incident, which forced him to adapt to a new life as a police consultant.
The setting is in an urban fantasy version of Boston, specifically in a neighborhood known as 'the Weird,' where fairy creatures coexist with humans.
The story involves a serial killer targeting male fairy prostitutes, which draws Connor into complex fey politics he wishes to avoid.
Connor's character is flawed and arrogant, creating a nuanced portrayal of a hero who must confront his past mistakes.
The narrative incorporates elements of Celtic mythology and emphasizes political tensions between humans and fey.
The book has been noted for its rich world-building, exploring the impact of an event called 'The Convergence' that merged the fey and human realms.
It blends the mystery genre with urban fantasy, presenting a hard-boiled detective narrative from a supernatural perspective.
Secondary characters, including a humorous pixie and Connor's human cop partner, are well-developed and add depth to the narrative.
The author, Mark Del Franco, has been praised for his ability to weave humor and engaging dialogue into a darker story.
The book reveals social commentary on class privilege and the repercussions of societal status, as seen through Connor's fall from grace.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains themes that may be triggering for readers, including discussions of murder, prejudice against marginalized groups, and darkness related to depression.

From The Publisher:

In the alleys of the decrepit Boston neighborhood known as the Weird, fairy prostitutes are turning up dead. The crime scenes show signs of residual magic, but the Guild, which polices the fey, has more "important" crimes to investigate and dumps the case on human law enforcement.

Boston police call in Connor Grey, a druid and former hotshot Guild investigator-whose magical abilities were crippled after a run-in with a radical environmentalist elf. As Connor battles red tape and his own shortcomings, he realizes that the murders are not random, but part of an ancient magical ritual. And if Connor can't figure out the killer's M.O., the culmination of the spell might just bring about a worldwide cataclysm.

Ratings (2)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (11):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (7)
Not Interested (1)

About the Author:

Mark Del Franco lives with his partner, Jack, in Boston, Massachusetts, where the orchids tremble in fear since he killed Jack's palm plants.

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.